NAME b. d. Ancestry b. d. Ancestry Record ol~ /~, ~~#~..., See File No. (Over)
NAME: Matthews, Newel J. DATA: Photograph SOURCE: Pilot Mountain Baptist Association Minutes, 1960, p. 3 206.9756/M66pil
O... 'fl '\ 1.,\J C. ' (, PAGE 6-- 'Love Gift~ Presented Pastor, 104 By Jeanette Reid staff Reporter PLOT MOUNTAN - A Baptist minister who will be 105 years old Nov. 18 received a love gift yesterday froin the Pilot Mountain Baptist Assn. The Rev. Newell J. Matthews, dressed in a grey suit, was sitting before a fire at the home of his son, Alvah Matthews, here when the Rev. Lewis E. Ludlum of Winston-Salem, Associational missionary of the Pilot Mountain Baptist Assn., arrived. Accompanying the Rev. Mr. Ludlum was the Rev. Kenneth Hollifield, new minister of the First B apt i s t Church here. Here's a love gift for you, a check, said the Rev. Mr. Ludlum, handing the 104 - year-old minister an envelope. How much is it? asked the Rev. Mr. Matthews, who possesses all his mental faculties, but is blind. About 80 dollars, was answer. That's too much, retorted the recipient, The Rev. Mr. Ludlum explained that the Pilot Mountain Baptist Assn. recently held an old timers' night and every church Staff Photo by Jeanette Reid RECEVES GFT-The Rev. Newell J. Matthews receives a love gift from the Pilot Mountain Baptist Assn. being presented by the Rev. Lewis E. Ludlam, Associational missionary. The Rev. Kenneth Hollifield. pastor of the First Baptist Church at Pilot Mountain, watches the presentation. more than 40 years old was asked,, to send the names of its living meat, doesn t,sm?ke, doesn t thews of Axton, Va., and R. charter members. chew and doesn t drink coffee. Matthews of Victoria, Va, Someone suggested sending a He enjoys visitors very much, The Rev. Mr. Matthews, letter to the Rev. Mr. Matthews, keeping fully abreast of the con- began preaching in 1881, joined who was unable to attend' then versation around him. He even the church at Westfield, where he someone else suggested s~nding keeps up with current events by was.born Nov.. ~8, 18~3. He was him a gift. Voluntary contribu- having someone read the newspa- ordained a minister the tions make up the sum of the per to him. sionary Baptist Church in check. Although he can't see, he is with his first pastorate at Holly Asked how he feels as he ap- most particular about his appear- Springs Church near Mount Airy. proaches his 105th birthday, he ance when his picture is being Among churches he said, About the same as last made. ar~ those at Brown Mountain, year, although almost all my visi- His oldest daughter, Miss Mar- Brim's Grove and Walkertown. tors tell me look even better tha Matthews, also makes her than did a year ago. home here. He eats anything he wants, but Other children are Mrs. Emma admits he doesn't want as much Kirkman of Mount Airy, Mrs. Ada food as he used to or as many dif- Brown of Rural Hall, Mrs. May ferent foods. He doesn't eat much Medlin of Charlotte, W. C. Mat-
.V1atthews Rites Today; Was Minister PLOT MOUNTAN - The uieral for.the Rev. Newell J. Vatthews, 106, of Pilot Mountain, vho died yesterday will be held tt 2 p.m. Monday at Pilot Moun-.ain Baptist Church. The Rev. Kenenth L; Holifield vill be in charge, assisted by the Rev. H. W. Dezern. The body will.ie in state from noon until 2 o.m. Burial will be in Pilot ~10untain cemetery. Mr. Matthews was ordained in the Missionary Baptist Church in 1885. He was Pilot Mountain's 01dest resident. He had been in declining health for several years and seriously ill one week,, He was born on Nov. 18, 1853, in Stokes County. Mr. Matthews' first pastorate was Holly Springs Church near Mount Airy. He 0 r g ani zed churches at Brown Mountain and Brim's Grove in North Carolina and 'one in 'Missouri. He also served churches in West Virzinia and Missouri in addition to ~everal in North Carolina. Surviving are three sons, Alva A Matthews of the home, W. c. Matthews of Axoin, Va., and R. J. Matthew.'! of Victoria, Va.; 'four dauzhters, Miss Martha Matthews of the home, Mrs. J. A. Kirkman of Mount Airy, Mrs. Ada Brown of Rural Hall, and Mrs. Mae C. : Medlin of Charlotte; 26 ~rand. children' 40 great-grandchildren and th~ee great-great-grandchil- dren. i (, Rev. Newell J!.Mathew. celebrate his losin birthday vember 18 at ~,:th~ hmnie cl: son, Alvah Mathews: where makes his home. He ~as born, Westf,ield, November 18,,.lB53. was ordained a rnirdster- in ionary Baptist Church m w'ith his first pastorate at Springs Churoh near Mt. Among churches he orzamzed!were Brown Mountain, Grove and Walkemown. ldoo!m'.t <!hew tobacco or drink cowfee. He always looks twal'd' to his birthday as he al- ',~ hlloi several visitors and.,'ts... ~ chiid:ren are his son Alvah and daughter, Miss Ma ntha, of this CJty, Mrs. Emma Kirkman of.mt, Airy, Mrs. Ada Brown of Rural Mrs. May Medlin of Char- W. C Mathews of Axton... R. J. Mathews of Victoria, ~ The Rev. Mr. Mathews has. The Rev. Mr. Mathews receives been blind for about 00 years but }} pension from the Southern Bapstill has a good memory and cist. Convention and he is the old-, joys' visitors very much, Keepll~!:'1 i fully abreast of the '0, est preacher in the whole south-.around him. He said he doesn't ern Baptist Convention. \ \,
October 20. 1960 The funeral for the Rev. Newell, J.,Matthews. 106, of Pilot Mountain. who died Saturday, was held at 2 p.m. Monday at Pilot Mountain Baptist Church. Mr. Matthews was ordained in the Missionary Baptist Church in 1885.. He was born on November 18. 1853 in Stokes County. Mr. Matthews organized churches at Brown Mountain and Brim's Grove in Stokes County.
. HE:,CHURCH;;~rl&.,;! ~ ~ \ f....,. /... J 1 ',:' vh'story,;~o ','.81M'S2: 68'0,1, ',:':Q~lSJ~C ~., ~:'.i i~~, i \.' L..,. -...~~,(, r~, \J \f 'c tl~(-'1.t!t1l J-'\~~' j Wl ~, ~ j J '>1o\',l,,~.. ' :, 'the'bf-im'ts' Grove ', ' ', ~ t growtlh,ofthe pioneer' ' ' thew's~?; ~he.pil9t,:~0.uti~jp~.n.,1,,,\o,\,; d1~tnl'abill+l '-. ',need'of-a!m1ssionary Bltpt1St lt..... u. between.::i?llot-:'ii' 1l.'UJri 'J:!i'~l~o~tj~ln': ~e8tfiewl~,and olf~'in Matthe~s undertdok the' '.'Of.....,workt:1;he first servtces were', held in the. ',, of Mr~! F'ank Lynch.' < M'. Lynch C?,~ter~(Ca;,..of ground to, build. a church,',but;'thib,lwas, (.the.central' point,'of the l.cqmmunity' ). ' _,.._~~tthljwsdestred.: -:'.::. '::'.?,.~~:., ~\:, J The 'next meeting place~wasthe;r8.lelghr,, packhouse,. located' JUBt''off Highway ~268~and \ Brim's Grove: RQad.'': n the Bummer 10f 'l896,1' Rev. Matthews held' a revival in,the packhoube.'!; 'There was much inte~ebt' from that poin~ on.; A brush 'arbor was butlt 'near the 'pre Beht'.,;,. ' church site and the~'abbociation secured 'Rev~~\l ii Pinkney Oliver to preach ther~ regularly' as a.~': ',. mission point. S~day' Scho<?,l',.\~~S condu,~ted.i~n.;;'.'~' :j' chestnut logs near the arbor~ '.j~- 'i:}:,' r~~'. 1< t;.~;, r,'.,, ' n 1901,' a Bmall frame buildi.ngwaserected,:\~~~~~\. \. replacing the, brush arbor on' land given. by ~'l,r-.'.. Raleigh Brim. On April 4, 1902, the church wab,}':'i l!.\\ ; \\,. officially organized ab.the Brini1s Grove MiS-': '.'.,:-' ',.. ~ sionary Baptist Church. 'Therelweret'thirteert~:;~'.and e\oected a new~brick building. t ib still charter' menibers. Twelve' ofthem';wer~ J.P. ','use today. n 1962, a 'new large brick parsonh, Covington, Mary,Jane, Covington, Nora Coving-... <,:(:wasbuilt and' in 1968, the' new educational buill. ton, L: 0; Venable, Mary Jane Venable. \Annie,~';\,}ng was' erected. The' progrebs through Venable, Deal Venable, C.' W~ 'owens, Nanie \ ~~years has shown the: mind of the people to owenb, ~ob L,ynch, Lou Ella.Mitphell.'an,<i Lilla,'.forward for C~ist. '\, ' G9rdon..,,.,...'.,:.., -:-~'. Mrs: Daisy Covington, at 86 years old, is t Rev.. PinkneyOliver wab ~lectedpastor. J.~P.;.. oldest member pf the church.' She joined, Covington and CJ W. OWens 'Vere elected as/, churq~' in about 1904 'by letter from the MOil deacons. L. 0.. 'Venable w,as elected church,. Olive' Baptis~ Church. She hab been faithful clerk. :J. P. Covington.wa~(the; fi7st~day,: ;'thechurch f,rom, that day fol\yard. She st School Superintende~. ':,,!',,:: ',...r' ~~r,,minis~rs.to,the needb -of th~ church, altholl Throughout the '~arb, God has blesbed the:.;.,.mai~y,confined ~ her home. ' church with growth.and endurance. l Three major ', ;Mr1'~Ujah!Sams joined,.the church in l~ cribes haveijattered at the doprbbuttono avau:...,;.and was' baptized,here. He'is a retired dear World War ', the depression, '~nd world War ;'!,'; after~m~ily years of faithful service.. He \' only brought the church clober,to~th«ir.' ;J;~~re'4' '~,;SUnpay/Scb.qpl 'Su~rintenQent for thirty-. wer... ',' ~. :,... :,. ~:~. years. He 1s- f!.tinlffit~,w W t~.qlnj1:ch_.preac ~!.go,t little pay b' The church has had Bi e astors in f Church has always.been known':for' 8 f:lr1ng,what-,;,',s.. ~- years 0,.lex s nce.', hey are ~y,have ~nd fee~ing their preachdr :very 'rell,,-~i)'orde~.~ab i,f<?llow~.:' Rev:: Pinkney Oliver, J ~,n 1943, the Sunday School Superi!lteJldent~ Mr.,tJ Tom1~i~~.~)leY.,Sam Morton,' Dr.,Tom Sm a:.lij~'l Sa~~suggtaBted the need for''8, newbuild-.,.:isecond' time; as 'pastor; Rev. William Beam', ing~' The pastor, Bro. Shumaker~ and,,:thepeople'.;~.~nev ~,5-ai~!ta~;:-~:-~ d. '~'H. Haynes, Rev.. 1 agreed and the building fund for thelne~build-.d,.~simm.o~.f;,rev;.leebu'ru~,. Rev. F. J. Manti ing was B~rted. The war slow~d the-progr~sb'.y,rev'.'fa.'~z. Sl1umake~,.RevfGilmer Denny, n but in 1948, after the war; under the leadership;, Etigene~'MbNair.,Rev.- Jerry Saterfield. H of Rev. Gilmer Denny, the church launched out. :'.Gene, Hardin. and Rev. Bill Howard. '.....~.. '~ '.,\',-',. /' ~.. \ i,:' '';'~:'', t j... ~ J. l ~ \ \, '. J
REPORT OF THE PRESBYTERY. A Presbytery, consisting of Elders W. H. Beamer, T. D. Castephens and S. F. Conrad, met with the church at Westfield, ln Stokes county, in October last, 1885, and, after examination by prayer and the imposition of hands, set apart Brother N. J. Matthews to the full work of the Gospel ministry, and do recommend im to the confidence of the churches and brethren wherever his lot may be cast. S. F. CONRAD, Chairman of Committee PLOT MOUNTAN BAPTST ASSOCATON MNUTES, 1886, p. 9 206.9756/M66pil
BAPTST MNSTER 106, DES The Rev. Newell J. Matthews died at the home of his son in Pilot Mountain on October 15. The 106-year-old minister had been seriously ill for a week after several years of declining health. He was ordained a Missionary Baptist minister in 1885 and served churches in North Carolina, Virginia, and Missouri during his years in the active pastorate. BBLCAL RECORDER, October 22, 1960, p. 2:2-3
S''ATE North Carolina BAPTST BOGRAPHY DATA FORM Please read carefully the nstruction Sheet and then list the appropriate information as it directs. MATTHEWS Newell Jackson 1. NAME ::_::::::::_---='~,----- ---;-;,.--c:----- ---------,.=~------- (Last) (First) (Second) Give full names. For a married woman please put maiden name in parentheses. EXAMPLE: Cole, Mary Ann (Smith l.] 2. BRTH _.!.!N~e~a=-r_W~e~st~f;;l;:;,: e:::=l~d::: :::S:_:t:..::oo~k:.:::e-77s.--~ --=N::...:C~-,-, 18 Nov 1853 (Place) (County) (State) (Date) DEATH NC 15 Oct 1960 3. PARENTS Jackson Matthews and Martha A. Jackson Matthews jexample: Alec Joe Doaks and Lucy Mae (Brown) Doaks] Father's occupation -----'F~a~r~m~e~r Mother's occupation :H~o::::_u:::.s::::_e::::..w~if=--e:::: 4. BROTHERS ( ~ List full names and year of birth _ Cbt2!i~deceased) Number William Columbus Lum Matthews, 1855; Ulysses Grant Matthews, 1869 5. SSTERS ( 4 ) List full names and year of birth ~Kdeceased) Number Mary Jane Matthews Turpin, 1852; Laura A. Matthews Brinkley, 1862; Sarah Sallie M. Matthews Turpin, 1858; Ruth Frances Matthews, 1865. 6. CHLDHOOD RESDENCE: (Please list each residence of 3 years duration or more, up to the time of the 18th birthday) Type of Community Post Office County State Dates Rural (R); town under 2500 pop. (T); city 2500 or more pop. (C). Check one. R~ TO CD Near Westfield RlU TO CD Near Spray RO TbJ CD Pi J at Mamlta ill. RO TO CD Stokes NC 1853- EQckingham NC abt 1202 SlJl;~~;;Z: lire 1~O~-1~60 7. EDUCATON: Grammar school: Graduate? High school: Graduate? Yes ( Yes ( No ( No( Year graduated _ Year graduated _ School attended: --------,,~--,----- ---...,...=---- ----nrr;;=r--- (Name) (Place) (State) (Whether graduate or not; if more than one was attended, show the last one.) College: Years attended: None ( ) One ( ) 2-3 ( Whether graduated or not, list college(s) attended: Graduate ( (EXAMPLE: 1935-'38) (Name) <Place) (State) (Years attended) (Degree) (Name) (Place) (State) (Years attended) (Degree) Graduate-level: List college(s), seminary(ies), etc. attended; earned degrees (Name) (Place) (State) (Years attended) (Degree)
8. SPECAL AWARDS OR RECOGNTON RECEVED: (Honorary degrees, such as: D.D., Howard College, 1948; citations, such as: Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, 1939; honorary positions, such as: Man of the Year -Pryor, Okla., 1943; etc.) 9. MARTAL NFORMATON: Spouse Birthdate Place 01 Marriage Date of of Spouse (Town and State) Marriage (1) Ruth A. Nunn Matthews 1860 4--:S0-1R76 (2) Number of children ( ). List their full names and birthdates: (an example of a married daughter would be: Mrs. John Alan (Mary Lou) Ross, 3-7-1918) Sarah Martha Matthews, 2-20-1877; Rose Emma Matthews Kirkman, 7-20-1879; da Alice Matthews Brown,. 5-1-1882; William C. Matthews, 1-19-1888; Virginia May Matthews Medlin, 2-22-1892; Royal J. Matthews, 9-23-1894; Alvah A Matthews, 2-JJ-J897. 10. VOCATONAL HSTORY (List all vocations, occupations, trades, or professions engaged in for two or more years) Pastor and traveled thru several states, including West Virginia, Missouri and Mssissippi organizing churches. 11. RELGOUS EXPERENCE: 12. Conversion ---.,..CT-r-- Baptism ---c=...,.--,- --=cc--~-- -...,..-,..,-~~----,--,--- (Date) -~(A~g-p.C) - (Date) (Church) (Location of Church) List any church, other than Baptist, with which formerly affiliated Ordained as: Minister ( ) Deacon ( ) Other ---------------- x J..Q..Q._ M B -1-' -1-. Chllrch 811rry COlluty -J.>~;;-;-;-;- _ (DatfbPdlrlnea) blsftll~ry api:i18i:i (Place), (State) LOCAL CHURCH ACTVTY, UNSALARED (Place the number of years service, in the space provided, for each office ever held.) Gen. Supt., Dept. Supt., Teacher, List below other Other Offices Director, Director, Counselor, offices or service, (give number of years service) President Circle Chm. Sponsor, such as: Sec., Leader Assoc. Supt., etc. Deacon - Ch. Treas. - Trustee - Ch. Library - Usher -- Ch. Recreation S.S. Ch. Clerk - Choir Mem. -- Other - Choir Direc. --- T.U. Ch. Committee Chm. V.B.S. Broth. W.M.U. List completed Study Course diplomas (ndicate related organizations. such as: S.S.. T.U.. etc.) 13. DENOMNATONAL SERVCE, UNSALARED. (Please list positions held in Baptist associations, conventions (state or Southern), national and world-wide organizations, such as; moderator, president, clerk, trustee, board, commission or committee members; etc.) Example: S.S. Superintendent Bethel Association Kentucky (Position) (Organization. board, agency, etc.) (Slate) 1942-1944 (Date)
14. TO BE FLLED OUT ONLY BY THOSE WHO ARE, OR HAVE BEEN, N SAL- ARED CHURCH-RELATED VOCATONS. (ncluding pastors, denominational workers, missionaries, ministers of education and music, church secretaries, faculty members or employees of Baptist institutions. agencies, etc.) TYPE AND LENGTH OF SERVCE: List all positions of such service with one or more years of duration; check F (full-time) or P (part-time). Examples: F[!] Fe]: (Posi tion) (Church, agency, area, institution, place of service) (Date of service) F ~ F Q F ~ F D F D until 1930 * * became blind 15. OTHER TYPES OF RELGOUS SERVCE: (n associations, assemblies, colleges, conventions (state or Southern), national or world-wide meetings, such as: speaker, music director, committee chairman, etc.) (Position) (Place of Service) (Da te of Service) 16. AUTHORSHP (nclude books, booklets, lesson courses or curriculum material, and tracts) (Book, item, etc.) (Publisher) (Date published) 17. CLUB OR GROUP MEMBERSHP: (Service organizations, fraternal, P.T.A., Civic, etc.) List important positions of leadership held ------------------------------ 18. HOBBES AND LESURE NTERESTS: Favorite Others _ 19. PUBLC SERVCE: (Military, educational, political, etc. not previously listed) _ n November, 1959 he wasthe oldest Jiving preacher jn the SOlltherṇ. --- Baptist. Convention, at age 106.
The information for items # 1-19 has been filled in by Rilla Matthews Gregg Mailing address 728 Rolling Court, Kernersville, NC 27284 ------_._- Sources used in compiling the information are: (Example: personal knowledge; minutes, Calvary Baptist Church, Wisner, La.; Court Records, Copiah County, Miss.; etc.) Family records, GARRETTGENEALOGY, personal knowledge, newspaper clippings. DO YOU HA VE LETTERS, DARES, PHOTOGRAPHS, OR OTHER MEMENTOES???? The Baptist Historical Collection would like to have this material or be allowed to photocopy such items for permanent preservation here in the Collection. We establish personal collections by the name of the donor. Any donated materials relating to the life and endeavors of our N.C. Baptist pastors and denominational leaders will be preserved for future generations of Baptists. Too often in our highly mobile society these items are thrown away or hastily discarded. They should be preserved. Let us know if we can assist you with the preservation of your personal papers. Phone (919) 825-9711, extent ion 277 collect. N.C. Baptist Historical Collection z. Smith Reynolds Library Wake Forest University Box 7777 Winston-Salem, NC 27109
' - Newell J. Matthews Born November 18. 1853 - Died October 15, 1960 Picture made at home in Pilot Mountain at age 104 Pastor of Baptist Churches over 50 years! <...' ~-...